Starting in 2014, health insurance companies can no longer deny or limit coverage for individuals with pre-existing health conditions including disability. This is true even if individuals have been denied coverage in the past. This also applies to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), federal and state governments are setting up and running health insurance marketplaces for individuals, families and businesses to purchase quality health insurance. To check if your state is running its own health insurance marketplace, or if you should use the federal health insurance marketplace, visit HealthCare.gov.

Buy Coverage During Open Enrollment Periods

Health insurance is available for purchase for individuals, including those with pre-existing health conditions, through the marketplaces during specific open enrollment periods. The initial open enrollment period is October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. For each year moving forward, the open enrollment period will be from October 15 through December 7. There are also special enrollment periods outside of those times for individuals who qualify. Visit your marketplace to find out more through HealthCare.gov.

Children Under 19 Years Old

From the day the ACA was signed into law in 2010, children under the age of 19 could no longer be turned down for coverage by an insurance company for a pre-existing condition including disability. This rule applies to all job-related plans as well as individual plans. To find out more about coverage for children under 19 with a pre-existing health condition, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

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For more information about the Affordable Care Act from CBS St. Louis, visit CBSStL.com/ACA.